Ramor United hit their stride against Newtownbutler

Ramor United (Cavan) 7-16 v Newtownbutler (Fermanagh) 1-08

After a ten-week lay-off since winning the Cavan championship, it was understandable that Ramor United would take time to get going. But once they shook off the cobwebs and their devastating forward line hit full stride, there was no stopping them as they powered into the semi-finals of the 2025 Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Championship in style.

While the final scoreline did not do justice to a gallant Newtownbutler side, there was no doubting that the Breffni boys were determined to live up to their pre-game favourites’ tag as they maintained their impressive form at Pairc Gheardhromma. Ultimately, it was their twin terrors in attack, Louis Kerrigan and MFC Man of the Match Daire McCrystal, who proved the difference.

An early McCrystal point signalled his intent, but Ramor were momentarily rocked when the diminutive Daithí Swift gathered a clever flick from Aidan McCaffrey and exquisitely lobbed the back-tracking Daniel Grinberg for the game’s first goal. Ramor responded instantly with a major of their own, Junior Okosisi finishing after being played in by Kerrigan.

Three points from Jim Sherry, including a superb long-range two pointer effort, nudged Newtownbutler ahead as they dominated the middle third through the tireless work of Ryan Crudden and Ryan Casey. However, they simply could not contain the outstanding McCrystal, who roved dangerously across the half-forward line. He added two fine points before firing home the goal of the game, a 20-yard left-foot screamer into the bottom corner of Cillian Rhatigan’s net.

Sherry and McCaffrey exchanged scores with Kerrigan, who was growing into the contest, leaving the half-time score at 2-07 to 1-05. It could have been even closer but for a superb Grinberg save to deny Sherry from the penalty spot.

Ramor exploded from the blocks after the restart, McCrystal bagging another brilliant goal after an excellent pass from Peadar Brennan. Corner back Tomás O’Donoghue, who worked tirelessly throughout, surged forward for the first of his two points as Ramor began to take control. At the other end, Swift was excellent at full forward and ensured the Ramor defence remained alert.

Sé O’Dowd and full back James McDevitt both surged upfield to clip points, while Sherry and Crudden replied to keep Newtownbutler’s hopes flickering. Grinberg was called into action several more times, producing several top-class saves as Newtownbutler chased the goals they desperately needed. Each missed opportunity sapped energy from the tiring Fermanagh champions, whose heads began to drop.

Ramor sensed vulnerability and were ruthless, carving open the defence with wave after wave of slick attacking moves. Substitute Jack Reilly added further spark, his pace and trickery proving too much to handle. Kerrigan fired over three points before quick-fire goals from McCrystal, this time from the penalty spot, and Kerrigan sealed the outcome, underlining Ramor’s credentials as serious Ulster title contenders.

Further goals from substitutes Rory Kelly and Oisín Tynan added gloss to the final scoreline as Ramor booked their semi-final place in a match excellently refereed by Seán Devenney.

A delighted Ramor manager Jack Brady praised his side’s improvement as the game unfolded:

“We were delighted to come out on top after a great battle with Newtownbutler. We were under no illusions about the quality they possessed after seeing the scores they racked up throughout their Fermanagh campaign.

We blew out a lot of dirty diesel in the first half due to the long lay-off and lads being involved with schools football, academy squads and minor trials. Hopefully we’ll get everyone together this week for a session or two ahead of the semi-final. It will be a massive step up and we’ll need to raise our game again.

We’re proud to still be in this prestigious competition and pleased with how the lads represented the club with great sportsmanship. Hopefully we can build on our second-half performance. Commiserations to Newtownbutler and congratulations on their double in Fermanagh.”

Ramor United – Daniel Grinberg, Ivan Clancy, James McDevitt (0-1), Tomas O’Donoghue (0-2), Finn Burns, Conor Mulligan, Sé O’Dowd (0-1), Conchuir Stephen, Andrew Smart, Conor Lynch, Peadar Brennan, Louis Kerrigan (1-6), Daire McCrystal (3-4, 1 Pen), Junior Okosisi (1-0), Elliot O’Reilly

Subs: Jack Reilly (0-1) for O’Reilly, Oisin Tynan (1-0) for Okosisi, Rory Kelly (1-1) for Lynch, Bobby Ray Cole for Stephen, Mohamed Salloum for Smart

Newtownbutler – Cillian Rhatigan, Cormac Crudden, Euan Forde, Ruairi Johnston, Caolan Donnegan, Ryan Casey, Ben Crudden, Ryan Crudden (0-1), Tom Caughey, Oisin Carson, Jim Sherry (0-5, 5F), Joseph Martin, Aidan McCaffrey (0-1), Daithi Swift (1-1, 1F) and Daithi Fitzpatrick

Subs: Danny McCaffrey for Carson, Tom Maguie for Fitzpatrick

Referee – Sean Devenney (Tyrone)